Minnesota United starting center back Bakaye Dibassy trained with his team in the rain Thursday during the Loons' bye week and is expected to make his season debut a week from Saturday at Real Salt Lake.
He has not played these first six games because of a lingering thigh injury that was considered minor back during preseason.
Without Dibassy, Brent Kallman and Jukka Raitala each has started in his place and coach Adrian Heath has noted the absence of Dibassy's presence and experience.
"We're hoping so, barring anything where he wakes up tomorrow and feels anything," Heath said after Tuesday's training about Dibassy's approaching return. "He has worked hard the last couple weeks and with a full week's buildup for the Salt Lake game, we're hopeful he'll be available for selection."
On his way
Newly signed attacker Franco Fragapane was scheduled on a flight Thursday night from Argentina to Minnesota, with a Friday morning arrival expected.
French first-division striker Adrien Hunou arrived Tuesday night and has been training on his own while he is quarantined for seven days. Fragapane also must go through quarantine after he arrives.
"Like Rey was, it was a bit longer than expected, but we do think we're getting a really good player and it's worth the wait," Heath said about Fragapane.
Both Hunou and Fragapane are expected to join team training next week.
